Advocacy Leadership Institute

9:00 AM Apr 23 - 5:00 PM Apr 25, 2018

The NALAC Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI) is a three-day intensive, hands-on training that builds advocacy skills and knowledge about the role of government and public institutions in the arts field. A group of 10-15 participants will be selected to attend the ALI in Washington, D.C., where Congressional Staff and experienced arts advocates will impart skills to enhance efforts on behalf of Latino arts and culture. The goals of this advanced institute are to: 

• cultivate a deeper understanding of the frameworks involved in shaping cultural policy, and its impact on Latino artistic production and social justice;
• provide research and instruction on advocacy protocols and strategies;
• deliver immersion training via preparatory research and assignments, instruction, site visits and consultations;
• develop competencies for meaningful communication with local and state elected officials, and with national congressional representatives and staff;
• build relationships and initiate dialogue with policy makers to promote understanding of the Latino arts sector’s needs while asserting the role of the arts in sustaining viable communities;
• equip Fellows with the necessary tools to lead proactive efforts in their respective communities, and to deliver effective messages that will help broaden support for the arts; and,
• nurture Fellows as an engaged group of active Latino arts sector advocates. 

Highlights of the NALAC Advocacy Leadership Institute include: meetings with noted political leaders on Capitol Hill and members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus as well as meetings with senior staff at the National endowment for the Arts, the White House Office of Public Engagement and Smithsonian Latino Center.